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Some Great Starter Ryobi Cordless Tools Are on Sale at Home Depot for Labor Day

Labor Day sales are in full force, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before they’re over. You can also subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

If you need a basic tool set for home maintenance or want to expand your DIY skillset, a set of cordless tools is a necessity. Shopping Labor Day sales is one of the best ways to save money on tools. I’m a fan of Ryobi’s cordless offerings, and Home Depot has some great starter sets on sale for Labor Day.

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit

Ryobi drill


$39.97
at Home Depot
$113.00
Save $73.03

Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Impact Driver

Ryobi impact driver


$109.00
at Home Depot
$178.97
Save $69.97

Ryobi ONE+ 18V Lithium-Ion Starter Kit

Ryobi batteries


$79.00
at Home Depot
$203.94
Save $124.94

The best Labor Day deals on cordless drills and drivers

A drill is the foundation of any tool set. If you’re building a home maintenance tool kit, a Ryobi drill for $39 is a standout deal. The 18-volt, ⅜-in chuck Ryobi drill is 65% off and it comes with a set of driver bits, a 1.5-amp-hour battery, and a charger. This kit is ready to use out of the box, and it comes with a battery set that is compatible with any 18-volt Ryobi tool, allowing you to try out new tools as you build your set.

The Ryobi 18-volt, ¼-inch chuck impact driver is also on sale for Labor Day for $109.97, 39% off its regular price. The driver comes with a 2-amp-hour battery and a charger. An impact driver can make driving fasteners easier by adding some mechanical momentum as you drive your fastener for a powered assist when your driving screws and bolts.

The best Labor Day deals on batteries and bonus tools

A set of spare batteries for your Ryobi tools can come in handy when you’re using more than one tool at a time, and having a spare battery while you’re working so you can always have one on the charger will allow you to keep going without having to wait for it to charge.

The Ryobi 18-volt battery starter set is on sale for $79, 61% off its regular price. It comes with a 2-amp-hour battery, a 4-amp-hour battery, and a charger. This is a good set as an add-on for a tool that doesn’t come with batteries, or to expand your cordless tool set.

There are two other notable deals on Ryobi batteries that come with bonus tools. You can get the Ryobi 18-volt battery starter set with a reciprocating saw for $158, 41% off its regular price, or a starter set with a portable fan for $108.97, 51% off its usual price. A reciprocating saw can be used for trimming hedges as well as for cutting lumber. A fan is a good way to add ventilation if you’re working on something that produces dust or paint fumes.

Why I like Ryobi tools

For DIY and home maintenance, a set of tools that is reliable and versatile is key. Ryobi  batteries are cross-compatible with over 300 tools, including drills, drivers, saws, landscaping equipment, and finishing tools. Building your home tool set on a battery type that allows you to add tools without needing a whole new set of batteries will make building your kit more affordable.

Also, because the tools are backwards compatible with Ryobi 18-volt tools released over the last decade, your batteries and chargers will likely be compatible with future Ryobi tools as well. This means you won’t need to update your battery system as new tools come out.


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023)


—
$29.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

You Can Get $150 Off an 11-inch iPad Air for Labor Day

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Labor Day sales are rolling in, and Lifehacker is sharing the best bargains based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before they’re over. You can also subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

The iPad Air is the best iPad for people who really like iPads. The regular iPad is great for kids and basic use, while the iPad Pro is designed to handle professional level creative workflows, with its latest M4 chip and tandem-OLED display. The iPad Air, on the other hand, gives you everything you need from an iPad, without the compromises of the base iPad, and for far less than the iPad Pro.

And during Labor Day sales, you can get the 128GB base 11-inch iPad Air for $449.99. That’s down from the sticker price of $599, and it’s the lowest price yet for the latest iPad Air.

Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 chip Built for Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, 12MP Front/Back Camera, Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue

Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 chip Built for Apple Intelligence, Liquid Retina Display, 128GB, 12MP Front/Back Camera, Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life — Blue


$599.00
at Amazon
$749.00
Save $150.00

The device has an 11-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 bits of brightness and 2360×1640 resolution. It’s powered by the M3 chip from last year, which is still way more powerful than most iPad users will need, with an 8-core CPU, a 9-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. There is also 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Even when you factor in the new multitasking and freeform window support coming to iPadOS 26, this thing can handle it.

The iPad Air supports both the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and the Apple Pencil Pro. And unlike the iPad Pro, it uses Touch ID in the power button for authentication, rather than Face ID. In its expert review, PCMag gave the M3 iPad Air a 4-star rating and an Editor’s Choice award, noting, “[The] iPad Air remains the best choice for students and creators who need a powerful tablet at a decent price.”

If you want to go a size larger, you can also check out the 13-inch iPad Air, which is also discounted to its lowest price ever, at $649 (down from $799).

Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023)


—
$29.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

Six Things You Need to Clean Yourself Before the Professional House Cleaners Arrive

You might think that if you hire a cleaning service to come and deal with your mess, you can promptly ignore the whole subject and let the housecleaners deal with everything—after all, that’s the whole point of paying someone to clean your house. But if you want your cleaning service to be as effective as possible—and your house to be as clean as possible—there’s some prep work you should do before the cleaners arrive.

Yes, you need to clean some things before your professional cleaners show up, because you want to maximize the benefit that pro cleaners bring to your house. Otherwise, they’ll waste time and energy (and your money) fighting an uphill battle. If you want to get the most out of your professional house cleaners, here are the pre-cleaning steps you need to take.

Declutter

The number one thing you should do to prepare for a professional cleaning service is to pick up your stuff and declutter. If your cleaners have to pick up and move stuff out of their way, they’ll spend less time actually cleaning, and they probably won’t put everything exactly where you want it. A few key areas to declutter include:

  • Floors. Clear the way for vacuums and mops.

  • Counters. Make it easy for your cleaners to dust and wipe down surfaces. This includes putting small appliances away and clearing all those primping tools off the bathroom sink or counter.

  • Valuables and private stuff. Don’t leave stuff sitting out that you wouldn’t want strangers seeing or interacting with.

Organize laundry

The line between house cleaners and housekeepers can be a fuzzy one, and laundry is one chore that not every cleaning service does. If your house cleaner is going to do the laundry as part of their usual visit, you should organize it before they arrive. That means gathering it all into a central place and (possibly) sorting it at least into whites and colors. You should also separate out anything intended for the dry cleaners, and any delicate items that require special handling. You can either do those yourself or leave specific instructions, but never assume the cleaning pros will automatically know what needs to be done.

You should also make sure you’re stocked with detergent, fabric softeners, and anything else you expect your cleaners to use while washing your clothes.

Do the dishes

Some house cleaners will do dishes if you leave them in the sink, but many won’t, and for some, it’s an add-on service you pay for. Obviously, if your cleaning service includes the dishes, you should let them handle it. But if your service isn’t going to handle the dishes for you, don’t leave a pile of dirty ones in the sink that will get in the way of your cleaners’ efforts to scrub the sink and the surrounding area. Plus, a pile of dirty dishes implies you’re trying to get the cleaners to wash them even though it’s not their job.

Fragile and personal stuff

Anything in your house that’s fragile or that requires special handling, you should clean yourself. If it requires a memo to explain the process to your cleaners, the chances that they will fail to do everything correctly (or even damage the items) will not be zero.

You should also make sure that anything intimate and personal, like financial documents or personal letters, isn’t left out. This should be part of your decluttering routine mentioned above, but it’s worth doing an extra sweep of the house. You don’t want your house cleaners to know your business, your house cleaners don’t want to know your business, and if you’d rather not have something touched or moved, you shouldn’t leave it out.

Clean out the fridge

Note I didn’t write clean the fridge—your house cleaners should handle the actual cleaning of your refrigerator. But if you want a truly sparkling refrigerator, don’t leave it packed full of old plastic storage bowls, takeout containers, and dubiously wrinkled produce. The more time your cleaners have to spend tossing all that stuff into the garbage for you, the less time they’ll have for actually cleaning your appliance, so take a few minutes and clean the fridge out as thoroughly as possible. If there’s an obvious spill in there, you should probably mop it up, but otherwise, you can leave the actual detail work to the professionals.

Clean the litterbox

If you have a cat as a pet, clean out the litterbox before your cleaners arrive. Check with the company’s policy—some house cleaners won’t touch a litterbox at all, while others are happy to move it in order to clean under and around it. But considering what a litterbox is typically full of, it’s a simple courtesy to make sure it’s clean before you expect someone to get down close to it and possibly handle it.

USDA Expands Efforts to Strengthen Rural Food Animal Veterinary Workforce and Protect America’s Food Supply

(Washington, D.C., August 28, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced a commitment to new actions (PDF, 1.2 MB) to increase the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the U.S. and recruit new veterinarians to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in their role to protect American ranchers, animals, and our food supply.

The Best Labor Day Deals on Phones, Laptops, TVs, and More

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Labor Day sales are rolling in, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before they’re over. You can also subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

Labor Day is a big holiday for tech sales, and even though it’s not yet the weekend, the deals are already rolling in. Whether you’re in the market for laptops, phones, tablets, or even a new TV, there’s definitely a deal out there just waiting for you to snatch it up.

The hard part is finding it, but lucky for you, I’ve already taken care of all the hard work. For the rest of the week, I’ll be updating this list with the best deals on laptops, tablets, TVs, and more that I can find, across sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

The best Labor Day laptop deals

Apple M4 MacBook Air

Apple MacBook Air 13" M4 chip 16GB RAM 256GB SSD Laptop


$799.00
at Amazon
$999.00
Save $200.00

Laptops are a Labor Day staple. Here are my picks, across both PC and Mac.

  • Apple MacBook Air 13-inch with M4 Chip: $799 at Amazon (was $999). Apple’s most recent MacBook Air, this comes with the new M4 chip and a base 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

  • Apple MacBook Air 15-inch with M4 Chip: $999 at Amazon (was $1,199). This MacBook Air model also has an M4 chip and starts with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but has a larger, 15-inch screen.

  • Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch with M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max chip: $1,299 at Amazon (was $1,599). The smaller MacBook Pro starts with an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, but can be configured with either an M4 Pro or M4 Max chip, as well as higher memory and storage capacities.

  • Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch with M4 Pro/M4 Max Chip: $2,229 at Amazon (was $2,499). The larger MacBook Pro has the biggest screen on an Apple laptop, and comes packed with either an M4 Pro or Max Max chip, with RAM and storage configurable depending on how much you’re willing to spend.

  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch, 512GB: $900 at Best Buy (was $1,000). Microsoft’s own spin on a MacBook like form factor is on sale right now, offering a familiar layout to anyone hopping to Windows for the first time, and coming with a battery-friendly ARM chip. Be sure to pick the 512GB model at checkout to get the deal.

  • Dell 16 Plus Laptop: $750 at Dell (was $1,150). Dell’s 16 Plus laptop is another way to get an Apple-style form factor on Windows, and this particular model has a respectable Intel Core Ultra 7 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a generous 1TB of storage.

  • Samsung Galaxy Book5 360: $999 at Amazon (was $1,350). This Samsung laptop is convertible, meaning it can flip around for a tablet like form factor. It has a mid-range Intel Core Ultra 7.

  • Asus ROG Strix G16: $1,275 at Amazon (was $1,500). Asus’ ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop comes in a few varieties, all on sale. The more expensive ones come with a 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz display, Intel Core i9 processor, and 1TB SSD. Or, you can get an entry level model with an FHD+ 165Hz display and an Intel Core i7 processor.

  • Alienware Aurora 16X: $1,350 at Dell (was $1,550). This slightly more expensive gaming laptop represents a more approachable design for premium Dell sub brand Alienware, and starts with a 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz display, an Intel Core Ultra 7 GPU, 16GB of RAM, an RTX 5060 GPU, and a generous 1TB of storage. You can also spend more to get more powerful configurations.

  • HP Victus 15.6″: $820 at Best Buy (was $900). This cheaper gaming laptop costs a little more than a premium Chromebook, but has a proper Ryzen 7 CPU and RTX 4050 GPU, plus a 1080p screen that supports 144Hz gameplay. Some of the tech is a few generations old, but with prices like these, that’s a compromise you might be willing to make.

  • Acer Chromebook Plus 514: $339 at Amazon (was $400). This Chromebook has a generous 1080p IPS screen, and while it’s not as powerful as more expensive laptops, it comes with a number of “Chromebook Plus” AI features that seek to even the odds.

  • Acer Chromebook 315: $139 at Best Buy (was $299). This is one of the most affordable laptops you can get right now, and while it’s a bit weaker and less feature-rich than a Chromebook Plus, it still has a generous 15.6-inch 1080p screen.

The best Labor Day tablet deals

Apple iPad 11-inch

Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025)


$299.00
at Amazon
$349.00
Save $50.00

Whether you prefer Apple or Android, there are some worthwhile tablet sales right now.

  • Apple 11-Inch iPad: $299 at Amazon (was $349). Apple’s basic iPad can be purchased at a slight discount right now, and comes with an A16 chip, which is the same processor in the iPhone 14 Pro.

  • Apple iPad Mini: $400 at Amazon (was $500). If you’re aching for a more portable iPad, this model comes with an 8.3-inch screen, which makes it ideal for tasks like reading. It also has an A17 Pro chip, which allows it access to Apple Intelligence.

  • Apple 13-Inch iPad Air: $649 at Amazon (was $799). The iPad Air technically isn’t Apple’s thinnest iPad anymore, but it’s a decent upgrade over the base model, with the much more powerful M3 chip and the option to buy in either 13 or 11 inches.

  • Apple iPad Pro: $897 at Amazon (was $999). Apple’s most premium (and actually thinnest) iPad, this model boasts the M4 chip, putting it roughly on par with a MacBook Air. A first for iPads, it also has an OLED screen.

  • Microsoft Surface Pro: $1,000 at Best Buy (was $1,200). This pick is the only tablet on this list with a full-fledged desktop operating system, complete with the same Windows 11 experience you’ll find on any other PC. That makes it great for people who want to be able to shift from tablet style convenience into a more traditional computing environment at the drop of a hat.

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: $146 at Amazon (was $220). Samsung’s A9+ comes with a large 11-inch 1200p display with a refresh rate or 90Hz. You can save even more and opt for the 64GB model, but if you plan on keeping this tablet for a while, the 128GB model will offer you more flexibility with storage.

The best Labor Day phone deals

Samsung Galaxy S25

Samsung Galaxy S25


$780.00
at Amazon
$860.00
Save $80.00

iPhone deals are a little hard to find at the moment, as most retailers are waiting for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 announcement to decide how they want to handle their current stock. Android, however, is another story.

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 (Unlocked): $780 at Amazon (was $860). Samsung’s Galaxy line is probably as close as you’re going to get to the iPhone experience with Android, and it’s a good fallback solution for folks who are unsure where to start. It’s also known for its cameras, so it’s good for shutterbugs, too.

  • Samsung Galaxy S25+ (Unlocked): $850 at Amazon (was $1,000). If the standard S25 is a bit too small for you, the S25+ might be the move. It includes all the perks of the S25, but comes with a display that’s half an inch larger.

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Unlocked): $1,170 at Amazon (was $1,420). Samsung’s Ultra phones have the highest megapixel counts on the market, and also come with styluses. This is maybe the most premium experience you’ll get in mobile right now, Android or otherwise.

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE (Unlocked): $700 at Amazon (was $900). This affordable flip phone is for folks who miss the the ’90s and ’00s. A budget version of the new Flip 7, it comes complete with a 6.7-inch screen, but folding it up gives you a smaller 3.4-inch screen that keeps the phone compact but still lets you check texts or make basic calls. Both the 128GB and 256GB versions are on sale.

  • Motorola Razr 2024 (Unlocked): $500 at Amazon (was $700). The Motorola Razr is an even more affordable alternative to the Galaxy Z Flip FE, and while I love the 2025 model, the base 2024 one on sale here is still worth your time at this price point. For far less than a Z Flip, you get a 3.6-inch external screen, a 6.9-inch internal display, and a respectable MediaTek Dimensity 7300X processor.

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Unlocked): $1,700 at Amazon (was $2,000). For a limited time following the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Samsung’s selling it’s latest folding phone for $300 off. This is currently the thinnest folding phone on the market, and comes with an 8-inch internal display and a 6.5-inch cover screen. All colors of the 256GB version are on sale for the same amount, although discounts vary across the 512GB colorways.

  • Google Pixel 10 (Unlocked): Gift cards at Amazon and Best Buy. Google’s Pixel 10 phones are technically still only available as pre-orders, but both Amazon and Best Buy are both offering them with bonus gift cards right now. You’ll pay normal price for the phone itself, but get an additional gift card, ranging from $100 to $350 depending on which model of Pixel 10 you buy.

The best Labor Day smartwatch deals

Google Pixel Watch 3

Google Pixel Watch 3


$299.00
$400.00
Save $101.00

Like iPhones, Apple Watch sales are hard to come by at the moment. Android users have a bit more choice, however.

  • Google Pixel Watch 3: $299 at Amazon (was $400). Google’s Pixel Watch series is probably my favorite-looking smartwatch, with a smooth and minimal circular design. This iteration is a generation old, but has a thin bezel and comes with Fitbit smarts, including the ability to track details like vertical oscillation while running.

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: $209 at Amazon (was $300). The Galaxy Watch 7 is the cheapest smartwatch on this list, but actually looks pretty luxe thanks to a design that evokes classic mechanical watches. It doesn’t have a digital crown, but it holds its own on tracking, especially when it comes to monitoring your sleep or heart rate.

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: $420 at Walmart (was $650). This Galaxy smartwatch does have a digital crown, plus improved battery life and a more rugged titanium body. There are also plenty of apps for outdoor activities like diving.

The best Labor Day earbud and headphone deals

Apple Airpods Pro 2nd Gen

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)


$199.00
at Amazon
$249.00
Save $50.00

Earbuds and headphones are a must for actually using your phone out in public, and there are great Labor Day options for both Android and iPhone users.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 2: $199 at Amazon (was $249). Apple’s best earbuds are on sale right now, and are really worth the slight splurge. They come with noise cancellation, USB-C charging, conversation awareness, and a speaker in the case so you can find it more easily.

  • Apple AirPods 4: $90 at Amazon (was $130). Apple’s most recent non-pro AirPods are also on sale, giving you USB-C charging, spatial audio, a promised 30 hours of battery life (with the charging case), and voice isolation.

  • Beats Studio Buds: $99 at Amazon (was $150). Technically an Apple brand, Beats offer cheaper noise cancellation than you get on AirPods Pro, plus a different shape some people may prefer.

  • Apple AirPods Max: $480 at Amazon (was $549). Apple’s full over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max, are great for people who want AirPods-level noise cancellation and automatic source switching, but prefer a more traditional form factor.

  • Sony WH-1000XM4: $198 at Amazon (was $348). These Sony headphones are two generations behind, but offer a compact form factor that’s hard to find cheaper elsewhere. They offer conversation detection, a mic for onboard calls, Alexa control, and three color options.

  • Sony WH-1000XM5: $298 at Amazon (was $400). Sony’s last generation of noise-canceling headphones loses some portability, but upgrades to four beam-forming microphones for better calling, plus promise an up to 30 hours of battery life.

The best Labor Day TV deals

85-inch TCL QM7

TCL 85-Inch QM7 QLED 4K Smart QD-Mini LED TV with Google TV (85QM751G, 2024 Model) Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, HDR, Game Accelerator up to 240Hz, Voice Remote, Works with Alexa, Streaming Television


$1,398.00
at Amazon
$1,999.99
Save $601.99

Sales events are pretty much the only time I buy TVs. I’m not in the market for an upgrade right now, but here’s what I would get if I were.

  • Roku 75-inch Plus Series QLED 4K Smart TV: $600 at Best Buy (was $900). Roku is maybe one of the best ways to get a TV for cheap right now. This TV is 4K, supports Dolby Vision, has a 60Hz refresh rate, and comes with Roku’s snappy operating system built in.

  • Insignia 50-Inch Class F50 Series 4K Fire TV: $175 at Amazon (was $300). If you want one of the cheapest 4K TVs available, look no further than this TV that is, oddly enough, made by Best Buy but runs an Amazon OS. Only a few sizes are on sale right now, with the 50-inch one being the cheapest. You’re not going to get high refresh rates or any OLED or even QLED style goodness, but this will still blow up a high-res picture to a large size.

  • TCL 55-Inch QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K Smart TV: $447 at Amazon (was $600). This TCL TV packs in a lot of bells and whistles, but is small enough to keep the price approachable. You’ll get a 4K resolution, be able to play games at 240Hz, and you’ll have Dolby Atmos and Onkyo Audio. It’s not quite OLED, but plentiful dimming zones means contrast will still be sharp.

  • TCL 85-Inch QM7 QLED 4K Smart TV: $1,397 at Amazon (was $2,000). This upgrade from TCL is only getting deals on its higher sizes at the moment, but is still a relatively affordable way to get a big-screen experience at home. It has Google TV built-in, supports 4K, can play games at up to 240 fps, and while it’s not OLED, its QD-Mini LED tech comes with plenty of dimming zones, for a similar experience.


Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023)


—
$29.99

(List Price $49.99)

Deals are selected by our commerce team

Xbox Just Made This Game Pass Feature Cheaper

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In an uncharacteristic move for a company known for raising prices on its gaming subscription, Microsoft actually just took a feature that used to be exclusive to its highest tier of Game Pass subscribers and gave it to all console Game Pass owners, period. You do need to do some work to actually access it for now, since the expanded access is technically only in preview, but it’s still a pretty sweet deal.

Before now, Xbox Game Pass owners had to subscribe to the service’s Ultimate tier, which is a hefty $20 a month, to get cloud gaming. Now, Core ($10/month) and Standard ($15/month) subscribers can get in on the action, too.

Given that Xbox owners need to have at least a Core subscription to even play their games online, that’s bound to expand the cloud gaming user base to a lot of new players. If you’re not aware, cloud gaming lets you play your games using Microsoft’s servers rather than your own device. If you’re willing to put up with a little input lag and visual compression, it’s useful for streaming demanding games to a secondary device like a phone, or to keep storage space free on your console. But it also puts a pretty heavy load on Microsoft’s own data centers—that the company’s opening it up to so many people probably means its done some serious expanding behind-the-scenes.

According to Xbox, Core and Standard subscribers will be able to play all cloud-compatible games included in their subscription using this feature, across their console, PC, browser, or even certain smart TVs. Not every game included in Game Pass works on the Cloud, but still, the library of games that can run over the cloud is hundreds of titles long and only growing. If your subscription tier includes it, there’s a good chance you can stream it.

As a bonus, the company is also now giving Core and Standard subscribers access to certain downloadable PC games, which previously required owning either the Game Pass Ultimate tier, or the PC-exclusive Game Pass PC tier, which is $12/month but doesn’t give you console games (it’s also not included in this expanding streaming rollout, bummer). Not every game with both PC and console versions will be available this way, but it’s a good sign for playing the same game across multiple platforms, a major Xbox initiative as of late.

With these changes, the difference between Xbox Game Pass subscription tiers is shrinking, but there are still a few Ultimate exclusives, like an included EA Play membership and access to Day One releases. Still, if you’re a bit more selective in what you play, it might be worth considering downgrading your Game Pass subscription.

The only caveat? For now, you need to sign up for the Xbox Insider program to get these updates, as they’re technically currently in testing. Luckily, signing up is free, so you simply need to download the Xbox App to your non-Xbox device, or the Xbox Insider Hub app to your Xbox console. Then, navigate to Settings > Account and toggle on the preview features you want to test out.

These Sonos Speakers Are on Sale for Labor Day

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Labor Day sales are rolling in, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before they’re over. You can also subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox.

Labor Day sales have been good so far, with Home Depot, Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon offering great discounts across the board. One sale from Amazon that I’ve got my eye on right now is its discounts on Sonos products, which includes basically everything you need to set up a complete Sonos home theater system. While not part of a home theater setup, the portable Sonos Move 2 speaker is also on sale.

Arc Ultra Soundbar

Arc Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Voice Control - 9.1.4 Surround Sound for TV and Music - Black


$899.00
at Amazon
$999.00
Save $100.00

Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar

Sonos Beam Gen 2 5.0ch Smart Soundbar (Black)


$399.00
at Amazon
$499.00
Save $100.00

Sonos Era 100 Wireless Speaker

Sonos Era 100


$179.00
at Amazon
$199.00
Save $20.00

Sonos Era 300 Wireless Speaker

Sonos Era 300


$359.00
at Amazon
$449.00
Save $90.00

Sonos Move 2 Portable Speaker

Sonos Move 2


$349.00
at Amazon
$449.00
Save $100.00

You can get Sonos’ latest flagship soundbar, the Arc Ultra, for a record low price of $899 (originally $999) after a $100 discount. The Arc Ultra succeeded the already excellent Arc Soundbar, but it added Bluetooth and a more immersive audio experience with deeper bass and clearer dialogue, according to PCMag’s “outstanding” review. This is a very long soundbar, measuring 2.95 by 46.38 by 4.35 inches, so make sure you have the space for it.

If you don’t have the space for it, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is much more compact and is going for $399 (originally $499). It came out in 2021, adding Atmos compatibility, eARC connectivity, NFC connectivity, and a better processor from the Gen 1, according to CNET’s review. The release of the bigger and more powerful Sonos Arc Ultra meant the Beam Gen 2 was no longer the flagship premium soundbar and started falling in price.

The Sonos Era 100 is a smart speaker that can work as a stereo or as a pair or rear speakers in a Sonos surround sound system, currently going for $179 (originally $199). It is an updated version of the Sonos One smart speaker, offering better bass and other improvements. It has an “excellent” review from PCMag for its ability to play stereo with a single device (it has a dual tweeter setup), its balanced audio, and the well-developed companion app that allows you to adjust the EQ. You can also opt for the bigger and more powerful Sonos Era 300 instead, currently $359 (originally $449).

The Sonos Move 2 differs from the rest since it’s a portable smart speaker. The Sonos 2 offers an impressive 24-hour battery life, which makes the imposing design a bit more palatable. Another welcome feature: “Auto Trueplay,” which automatically optimizes the audio output to your environment, whether indoors or out. You can get one for $349 (originally $449).

If you already own other Sonos speakers, you can seamlessly connect them through the Sonos app to create a surround sound setup or a multi-room system. (Keep in mind, people have complained about the app lately because it got rid of many cool features, but Sonos has tried to rectify those problems.)

Microsoft Is Finally Improving Bluetooth Audio Quality During Calls

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Has this ever happened to you? You’re playing a game on your PC with Bluetooth headphones, when a friend wants to start a voice chat. But when you jump on the call, all of a sudden your game’s audio plummets in quality, sounding muffled and monotone. What gives?

The issue, as Microsoft’s Mike Ajax explains, is due to how Bluetooth has traditionally balanced microphone inputs with audio outputs. When you’re just listening to something on your PC, and it sounds great, you’re likely hearing it through the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), as this profile doesn’t allow the microphone to be engaged. However, when you need your mic, your Bluetooth device switches to the Hands-Free Profile (HFP). This profile supports microphone usage, but drops the audio quality and downgrades it to mono. You don’t need to be an audiophile to tell the difference between high quality, stereo audio, and low fidelity mono: It’s night and day, and it makes audio designed for stereo experiences, like games, movies, and music, sound awful.

Windows 11 is getting a Bluetooth upgrade

That’s changing on Windows 11. In same the post, Ajax announced that Microsoft is bringing an upgraded audio standard to PCs with LE Audio architecture: super wideband stereo. LE Audio is built on top of Bluetooth Low Energy technology, and introduces two improved audio profiles for Bluetooth devices. Instead of A2DP and HFP, there’s Telephony and Media Profile (TMAP) and Hearing Access Profile (HAP). Both profiles support media playback and microphone usage, but TMAP is for Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, while HAP is for hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Ajax says that TMAP requires Bluetooth audio devices to support “super wideband” audio fidelity at a 32kHz sample rate while the microphone is engaged. But the big change is Windows can now take advantage of that whether or not you’re using the microphone: The new upgrades support stereo sound when the microphone is engaged, when previously LE Audio on Windows only allowed for mono. Not only should the audio itself sound better, but you should pick up on directional details you wouldn’t get otherwise.

That means if your Bluetooth headset is an LE Audio device, and your PC supports wideband stereo, jumping into game chat during a game won’t kill your audio quality. You can hear an example of the difference in Ajax’s post, which goes from muffled mono to a much higher quality stereo sound.

Even if you’re not a gamer, you should notice a difference during voice calls on Bluetooth headphone and earbuds. In apps like Teams, you’ll be able to use Spatial Audio with wireless headphones for the first time. (Previously, Teams Spatial Audio was exclusive to wired headsets and when stereo audio was available.) Spatial Audio on video calls makes it sound like voices are coming from where those people’s positions are on your screen, to make the experience feel a bit more natural. If you have the right equipment, this should be available via a Spatial Audio toggle in Team’s audio settings.

Hardware requirements

You may already have devices that support this new Bluetooth architecture: What you need is a Bluetooth audio device that supports Bluetooth LE Audio, and a Windows 11 PC that also support LE Audio. Ajax says that many new PCs and Bluetooth audio devices support LE Audio, but watch out for PCs that just support Bluetooth LE tech, because not all support LE Audio as well.

You’ll also need to update your PC to Windows 11 versions 24H2, the latest version of Windows 11 as of this article, and an updated Bluetooth audio driver from the manufacturer of your PC. If your PC doesn’t have these drivers yet, they should release later this year. Microsoft also expects most mobile PCs that come out later this year will support these drivers out of the box.

Google’s Browser-Based Video Editor Is Now Available for Free

Google Vids is the company’s web-based video editor, and you can now use it for free. Up until now, Vids was available only for paying Google Workspace subscribers, but this move makes it accessible to everyone. The pitch here is quite simple: Vids is a simple video editing tool that integrates extremely well with Google Drive. You can use basic editing tools and templates for free, and if you’re a paying Google subscriber, then you can use its AI features, too. 

Before you get too excited about Google Vids, though, you should know that it’s not a replacement for professional editing software. It’s more intended as a good place to get started, a bit like what Windows Movie Maker used to be about 15 years ago. You can do a lot with Google Vids, but if you’re a professional, you’ll hit the limits of the app’s capabilities fairly quickly. The good news is that there are alternatives like DaVinci Resolve for those who want professional-grade editing software and don’t need to do their editing in a browser. But if that’s a bit overkill for your needs, Google Vids is still worth looking into, especially because of the new free tier.

Google Vids now has a generous free tier

The year in review template in Google Vids.

Credit: Pranay Parab

Over the years, I’ve learned to lower my expectations for web-based video editing tools, but Google Vids is quite decent. My favorite thing about it is that if you have no idea how you want to present a video, it has several built-in templates to help you get started. For instance, there’s a template that lets you create a “year in review” style video. Within each template, you can insert premade scenes alongside your own footage. For instance, a sourdough prep template I found had premade scenes showing an ingredient list (with text you can swap out for your own recipe), someone prepping dough, someone making dough, and so on. 

You also have the option of importing a presentation from Google Slides and converting it into a video. It’s a great use of the app’s integration with Google Drive, and even better, you can also easily import pictures from your Google Photos account if you need still shots. There’s even a handy feature that lets you search stock photo/video websites to get filler footage.

The tools available for basic edits are also quite intuitive. Even as a novice, I was able to easily add basic animations for text or transition effects, and modify on-screen elements like the background. Google Vids also lets you easily search for royalty-free music to add to your videos, which is a nice touch. The best bit is that you can use Google Vids via any browser, not just Chrome. 

You can pay for AI integration

Google Vids's paid tier showing the AI Avatar selection feature.

Credit: Google

If you are a paying Google Workspace subscriber, then you can also use AI features in Google Vids. The basic editing tools remain the same, and all the AI stuff basically revolves around using a text prompt to generate ideas or videos. For instance, you can use a text prompt to generate a rough storyboard, or just ask Gemini to look at a Google Docs file to generate it even without a prompt. Vids also lets you throw in a script and generate an AI voiceover for your videos, and you have the option to choose from multiple types of voices.

Using Veo 3, you can also now make eight-second video clips from a text prompt, or convert still photos into video using AI. If that’s not enough, you could also input your entire script, and Vids will generate an AI avatar to read it out loud for you, with no restriction on time, over your other footage. I’ll presume Google has done its due diligence to not base any of these avatars on actual people—you can see a few avatar choices above—but still, it does mean that some of the talking heads you’re about to see online won’t resemble the person making the video at all. Be careful with what you assume is real.